The World Rugby Council awarded full membership to the rugby unions of Fiji and Samoa on 14 November. World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said in a statement that it was a “just reward” for the two countries because of their World Cup performances and development efforts.

Beaumont stated, “They’re now looking to expanding their women’s programme as well, we know what they do in Sevens, so it’s a just reward for the effort they’ve put in, these two islands.”

Oceania Rugby President Richard Sapias commended the decision.

Sapias said in a statement, “The inclusion of Fiji and Samoa onto the World Rugby Council is a boost for Rugby in the region. This decision from the council shows that the commitment of Oceania Rugby and our member unions to strive for good governance to support the off-field work within our game is vindicated. Strong off field and administrative models only assist and bolster the on-field efforts of our member union’s teams.”

According to Oceania Rugby, both Fiji and Samoa had endorsed “Mandatory Governance Principles” and rolled out reforms for good governance.

“Fiji and Samoa had both reached the performance criteria at the RWC2015 and have spent the past three years rolling out governance reform within their unions to ensure they meet the good governance criteria to hold a seat on council”, said Bruce Cook, the Rugby Services Manager Oceania for World Rugby.

These criteria included:

Constitution, Bye-Laws & Regulations Relating to the Game are fully applied;

Three years of unqualified audited accounts,

Transparent links with membership evident;

Comply with any National or regional legislation, in the area of good governance for sporting bodies.

“Sweeping constitutional changes came into effect in Samoa in September of this year and Fiji Rugby Union’s members finalised three years of constitution reform on Saturday 10 November.”